Someone's thoughts on St. Francis

I've been a long time studier of St. Francis of Assisi. One of the key components that we see in his example is: simplicity. While on one hand, I enjoy studying Francis and what he said, and observe from a far distance how he followed Jesus in the context of his life and times, I also like hearing how he has inspired others in practical ways. For instance, Rich Mullins and his 'Kid Brothers of St. Frank' expression of discipleship. In this case, the testimony comes from the professional musician and franciscan: John Michael Talbot and his book The Lessons of Saint Francis: How to bring simplicity and spirituality into your daily life. Here are a few snippets:

You don't need to be an itinerant or a monk to follow God's call to simplicity. [St.] Francis describes a third, more mainstream model: practicing equality in a world of savage disparity. Like other Franciscan approaches, this one also has a basis in the Bible. Paul, in his second letter to the Christians at Corinth, encouraged those believers to consider the welfare of others: "as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply [others'] needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality." ...This equality-based model for simple living is both a matter of urgent practicality and a potent symbol of spiritual intent. The effort to simplify and consume less is a real way to decrease our emphasis on self-gratification and increase our ability to share with others. Simplifying our lives and denying some of our incessant cravings is also a powerful way to symbolically enter into the suffering of others around the world (pg. 23-24).

By practicing simplicity and pruning the tangled branches of our lives, we will be doing two things at once. First, we will cut back the areas of our lives that have grown wildly out of control and threaten to kill us or drive us crazy. And second, we will channel our future growth toward a simpler approach to living that will leave us less subject to future headaches and heartaches (pg. 26).

"God, give me new eyes to see my life as you see it. And give me a new heart to sense the difference between my wants and my needs. Give me compassion for the suffering of the world, and a willingness to help those who are hurting. Amen" (pg. 32).

Recommended reading on a cool, post-storm, day

So, I'm going to do something I normally don't do, but (to my 4 readers) I'm just a wild and crazy guy. A weekend reading list. Or rather, a when-you-get-to-it list. I enjoy reading Joshua Becker's blog becomingminimalist.com and he does that, so I'm imitating him on this one. Here are a few posts that I've been mulling over.

Hospitality:

Jo Saxton gives some awesome honest thoughts on the challenges and blessings of hospitality.

http://weare3dm.com/josaxton/we-are-3dm/epilogue-the-beginning/

Simplicity:

Joshua Becker makes some very good points on busyness. 

http://www.becomingminimalist.com/un-busy/

Community:

Sarcasm? I'm getting rid of it (or recovering from it). Once when I was on staff with a ministry, one of my co-workers stopped me after I said something sarcastic. He said, "why did you say that?" I didn't have an answer, but it did open my eyes to how pervasive our sarcasm can be...and how off-putting it can be to others with whom we are in community.

http://wearesoma.com/blog/sarcasm-a-killer-of-community/

Breathe (don't forget you're human): (I've shared this one before...but it's refreshing this morning)

"Grace is something you can never get but can only be given. There's no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth. 

A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace. Have you ever tried to love somebody? 

A crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. 

The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. 

There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. 

Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too" (Buechner, Wishful Thinking, p. 38-39).